SUMMARY: Kidney injury secondary to diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure. We sought to determine whether pretreatment with the insulin-sensitizing drug metformin prior to the induction of diabetes can protect the kidney against the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN) induced by a combination of a high-fat diet and streptozotocin. Rats were either injected with vehicle (control group) or with a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (50 mg/kg) two weeks after being fed on a high-fat diet (HFD) (model group) and continued on HFD until being sacrificed 10 weeks post diabetic induction. The protective group that also fed on a HFD for 12 weeks was put on metformin (200 mg/kg/day) two weeks before STZ injection and continued on metformin until the sacrifice day. Harvested kidney tissues were examined by light microscopy after staining with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and periodic acid Schiff (PAS). Blood samples were assayed for sugar, urea, creatinine, and biomarkers of inflammation. Compared to a normal tissue histology in the control group, there was a profound damage to the kidney in the model group as demonstrated by markedly dilated capsular space, increased mesangial matrix expansion, congested blood vessels, and many tubular epithelial cells showing small pyknotic nuclei and vacuolated cytoplasm, which were significantly but not completely protected by metformin. Our findings also show that metformin significantly inhibited the inflammatory biomarkers, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and C-reactive protein (CRP) induced by diabetes and HFD as well as significantly inhibiting blood sugar, urea, and creatinine. However, the levels of TNF-α, CRP, glucose, and creatinine in the metformin-treated group was still significant to the control group. Thus, we demonstrated an efficient but not complete protection by metformin pretreatment against DN induced by a combination of HFD and streptozotocin in rats.

Biochar (B) application to sandy soils improves its productivity and mitigates climate change. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the potential effects of maize stalks biochar applied to a zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L. var.Hybrid fadwa) grown on a calcareous sandy soil. Plastic pots were filed with three kilograms of the studied soil and amended by the biochar at levels of 0 (control, unamended soil), 6.3 (B1), 12.6 (B2), and 25.5 (B3) g pot‒1. The pots were planted with zucchini plants and designed in a complete randomized design with three replications. Amending the soil with the biochar significantly increased the soil organic matter, fresh fruit yield, nitrogen use effiency (NUE) and agronomic efficiency of applied nitrogen (AE N) of zucchiniplants. Biochar additions improved the fresh fruits by 26.7, 55, and 195.0 % for B1, B2 and B3 treatments respectively, over the control. The NUE of the plants increased owing to the application of biochar to the soil from 69.2 mg fruit/mg N at the control treatment to 77.1, 84.3 and 131.4 mg fruit/mg N for B1, B2 and B3 treatments, respectively. So, it is recommended to apply biochar as an amendment to the calcareous sandy soil in order to improve its fertility.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate color changes and force degradation of orthodontic elastomeric ligatures in different stretching patterns during a 8-weeks period. METHODS: Two elastomers with the minimum and two with the maximum color changing, and gray elastomers of two brands (American Orthodontics and Ortho Technology) were selected according to an opinion poll with clinicians and color changes after 4 weeks of intraoral use were evaluated. These elastomers were mounted on special jigs fabricated using a CAD-CAM technique, underwent different stretching patterns and the force was measured in 0, 24 hours, 2, 4 and 8 weeks. During in vivo part of the study, force levels of elastomers were measured after 4 weeks on a material testing machine. Data were analyzed with four-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests. RESULTS: All the elastomers showed color changing but the degree of color stability was significantly different. The mean force degradation was higher in 1-mm stretch groups. After 8 weeks, the average residual force of elastomers was 1.45 ± 0.18 N and the maximum force decay was seen in the elastomers that exhibited the maximum initial force. CONCLUSION: There is significant relationship between the stretching pattern and the amount of residual force of elastomers. Elastomers with higher initial forces exhibited higher percentages of force loss after 8 weeks. It seems that there is a relationship between initial color and color changing of elastomers.

Abstract Accurate and early diagnosis of vertical root fractures (VRFs) is imperative to prevent extensive bone loss and unnecessary endodontic and prosthodontic treatments. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of time lapse on the diagnostic accuracy of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for VRFs in endodontically treated dog's teeth. Forty-eight incisors and premolars of three adult male dogs underwent root canal therapy. The teeth were assigned to two groups: VRFs were artificially induced in the first group (n=24) while the teeth in the second group remained intact (n=24). The CBCT scans were obtained by NewTom 3G unit immediately after inducing VRFs and after one, two, three, four, eight, 12 and 16 weeks. Three oral and maxillofacial radiologists blinded to the date of radiographs assessed the presence/absence of VRFs on CBCT scans. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy values were calculated and data were analyzed using SPSS v.16 software and ANOVA. The total accuracy of detection of VRFs immediately after surgery, one, two, three, four, eight, 12 and 16 weeks was 67.3%, 68.7%, 66.6%, 64.6%, 64.5%, 69.4%, 68.7%, 68% respectively. The effect of time lapse on detection of VRFs was not significant (p>0.05). Overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CBCT for detection of VRFs were 74.3%, 62.2%, 67.2% respectively. Cone beam computed tomography is a valuable tool for detection of VRFs. Time lapse (four months) had no effect on detection of VRFs on CBCT scans.

Abstract The gap acceptance study is an indispensable study in the determination of capacity and delay of the individual moment at uncontrolled intersection and critical gap is one of the chief parameter allied with this study. Most of the studies related to critical gap estimation have been carried out in developed countries where traffic is homogeneous and rules of priorities as well as lane disciplines are voluntarily followed. However, in India, priority rules are less honored which consequently create more clashes on intersections and modelling of such behavior becomes complex. Even though very limited studies have been reported in such case. This paper presents the study of gap acceptance behavior of drivers on an uncontrolled intersection. In order to examine the gap acceptance behavior of drivers, 4-legged uncontrolled intersection located in a semi-urban area of Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat was selected. Video recording technique was adopted for collection and analysis of the data. Different existing methods are used to calculate the critical gap for through and right turning movements from the minor road. Gaps are analyzed for three different vehicle types. A comparison between different existing methods of critical gap determination is carried out and their critical analysis is presented. The result shows, except clearing behavior approach, all other methods are failing to represent the actual scenario of the critical gap under mixed traffic conditions as these all methods had been developed for homogeneous traffic conditions.

Based on a critical ethnography of an urban high school that exemplifies the many changes of post-apartheid South Africa, this paper presents data about two teachers who propose opposing perspectives and practices of knowing students. The analysis of the teachers' narratives shows that they came to know their students through solicited, unsolicited and professional knowing processes. A surprise finding for successful teaching, in what may be considered difficult yet not uncommon conditions of schooling in South Africa, is that knowing about students can be dangerous, and that not knowing students can be useful for teachers. These counter-intuitive findings are generative of questions requiring further exploration.

Connecting prostheses to the implant abutments has become a concern and achieving a satisfactory retention has been focused in cement-retention prostheses recently. Sandblasting is a method to make a roughened surface for providing more retention. The aim of this study was to compare effects of nano and micro airborne abrasive particles (ABAP) in roughening surface of implant abutments and further retention of cemented copings. Thirty Xive abutments and analogues (4.5 D GH1) were mounted vertically in self-cured acrylic blocks. Full metal Ni-Cr copings with a loop on the top were fabricated with appropriate marginal adaptation for each abutment. All samples were divided into 3 groups: first group (MPS) was sandblasted with 50 µm Al2O3 micro ABAP, second group (NSP) was sandblasted with 80 nm Al2O3 nano ABAP, and the third group (C) was assumed as control. The samples were cemented with provisional cement (Temp Bond) and tensile bond strength of cemented copings was evaluated by a universal testing machine after thermic cycling. The t test for independent samples was used for statistical analysis by SPSS software (version 15) at the significant level of 0.05. Final result showed significant difference among all groups (p<0.001) and MPS manifested the highest mean retention (207.88±45.61 N) with significant difference among other groups (p<0.001). The control group showed the lowest bond strength as predicted (48.95±10.44 N). Using nano or micro ABAP is an efficient way for increasing bond strengths significantly, but it seems that micro ABAP was more effective.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of preterm birth by categories of birth weight, and to obtain an equation to correct the estimates. METHODS Systematic review of the Brazilian literature published from 1990 to 2012, to identify studies with primary collection of data on birth weight and gestational age. Twelve studies were selected and contributed for tabulations of preterm prevalence according to 100 g birth weight categories. These results were combined using sex-specific fractional polynomial equations and the resulting curves were compared with results from the Live Birth Information System for the years 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2011. RESULTS For all birth weight categories, preterm prevalence estimates based on primary studies had a higher prevalence than those of the the Live Birth Information System. The prevalence reported by the Live Birth Information System was of 7.2% in 2010, about 38.0% lower than the estimated prevalence of 11.7% obtained with the correctional equation. CONCLUSIONS Information reported by the Live Birth Information System on preterm prevalence does not reflect the true magnitude of the problem in Brazil, and should not be used without the correction factors proposed in the present analyses.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of preterm birth by categories of birth weight, and to obtain an equation to correct the estimates. METHODS Systematic review of the Brazilian literature published from 1990 to 2012, to identify studies with primary collection of data on birth weight and gestational age. Twelve studies were selected and contributed for tabulations of preterm prevalence according to 100 g birth weight categories. These results were combined using sex-specific fractional polynomial equations and the resulting curves were compared with results from the Live Birth Information System for the years 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2011. RESULTS For all birth weight categories, preterm prevalence estimates based on primary studies had a higher prevalence than those of the the Live Birth Information System. The prevalence reported by the Live Birth Information System was of 7.2% in 2010, about 38.0% lower than the estimated prevalence of 11.7% obtained with the correctional equation. CONCLUSIONS Information reported by the Live Birth Information System on preterm prevalence does not reflect the true magnitude of the problem in Brazil, and should not be used without the correction factors proposed in the present analyses.

CuO/MgO system having different compositions was prepared by impregnation method followed by calcination at 400-900 °C. The effect of CuO content, calcination temperature and doping with small amounts of K+ species (1-3 mol %) on physicochemical, surface and catalytic properties of the system were investigated using XRD, adsorption of N2 at −196 °C, and conversion of isopropyl alcohol at 150-400 °C using a flow technique. The results revealed that the solids having the formulae 0.2 and 0.3 CuO/MgO calcined at 400 °C consisted of nanosized MgO and CuO as major phases together with Cu2O as minor phase. The BET-surface areas of different adsorbents are decreased by increasing CuO content, calcination temperature and K+-doping. MgO-support material showed very small catalytic activity in 2-propanol conversion. The investigated system behaved as selective catalyst for dehydrogenation of 2-propanol with selectivity > 80%. The catalytic activity increased by increasing CuO content and decreased by increasing the calcination temperature within 400-900 °C. K+-doping increased the catalytic activity and catalytic durability.

BACKGROUND: In general, the principles of palliative care suggest that, at some stage, patients should be given 'bad news' about poor illness prognosis. The information is often important for care planning, especially when it involves disclosure to children. Although there are ongoing debates about whether to tell or not to tell children bad news, these debates have largely been informed by patients who live in a developed-world context. In contrast, this paper focuses on telling bad news to children and their families from a rural, developing-world context. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the experiences of providers of palliative care to children when they attempted to fulfil one of their roles as palliative caregivers, i.e. to prepare patients and families for a child's poor illness prognosis. METHOD: This was an exploratory study that was approached qualitatively. Five nurses and eight home-based care workers who provided palliative care for children in rural areas of South Africa formed a purposive, information-rich, self-selected sample. Data were produced through discussions with participants, using photographs taken by the caregivers to stimulate and contextualise the discussions. RESULTS: Participants experienced four dilemmas with regard to telling bad news: when families did not want to be told any bad news; when participants felt uncomfortable about telling bad news; when participants and patients shared dissimilar values about telling bad news; and when participants were unsure about when to tell bad news. CONCLUSION: In the rural areas where the study was conducted, children are not usually given bad news about their illness. Disclosing poor prognosis led to the dilemmas faced by caregivers. The result was that the emotionally charged work of caring for children reaching the end of their lives became more challenging for the caregivers because they were not prepared for cultural complexities. In view of the findings of this study, there is a need for ongoing research into paediatric palliative caregiving in context.

The paper proposes an efficient approach to detecting an increase in the fraction of nonconforming items. The novelty of the paper is its utilization of the concept of the Bayesian rule and construction of a Bayesian control chart. This approach is significantly better than certain existing effective approaches in detecting small deviations. The major application of the charts is in high-tech industries and short run processes where the detection of small deviations and the evaluation of the initial setup are very important. The simulated results for the average run length profiles demonstrate the superiority of the new approach against the standard p chart, binomial EWMA and moving average approach. The new approach is easy to understand and may be attractive and useful to researchers, while it can also be an effective alternative for other existing approaches.

N-Bromosuccinimide (NBS) catalyses the ring opening of various epoxides with different thiols in CH3CN at room temperature under mild reaction conditions. The corresponding β-hydroxysulphides are obtained in short reaction times and in good to high yields with nearly complete regioselectivity. The catalyst was compared with previously reported catalysts and only one that we have found [B(C6F5)3] gave the same regioselectivity, but the reaction time was much longer (4 h versus 5 min) and the yield was considerably lower. Zn(ClO4)2.6H2O gave slightly lower selectivity but higher yields. The reaction time was about 12 times longer.

Efficient oxidation of various types of structurally diverse alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds can be carried out with N, N,-dibromo-N, N,-1,2-ethanediylbis(benzenesulphonamide) in good to high yield of products in CH2Cl2 at room temperature. Primary (aliphatic, benzylic and allylic) alcohols are oxidized with no over-oxidation to carboxylic acids.

1-Bromo and 1,3-dibromo-5,5-diethylbarbituric acid were prepared and used for the conversion of different kinds of trimethylsilyl ethers to the corresponding carbonyl compounds in good yields in dichloromethane at room temperature.